Manitoba artists could dominate at WCMAs

Hey there, time traveller!This article was published 19/9/2009 (2637 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Local musicians have home province advantage at this year's Western Canadian Music Awards.

A total of 22 different artists are up for awards in 14 different categories at the seventh annual awards show, which takes place tonight at the Manitoba Centennial Auditorium in Brandon.

The show will be hosted by musicians Tim Tamashiro (the host of Tonic on CBC Radio 2) and Andrea Menard. Scheduled performers include Romi Mayes, the Sheepdogs, Paramedic, Souls in Rhythm, Record of the Week Club, Allez Ouest, Dan Mangan, Delhi 2 Dublin, Gordie Tentrees, Hey Ocean!, Library Voices, the Twisters, Trio Accord and 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Loreena McKennitt.

The WCMAs are not broadcast on radio or television.

Old-time folkies the Duhks, rock band the Waking Eyes, composer Sid Robinovitch and singer-songwriters Scott Nolan, J.P. Hoe and Romi Mayes lead the Manitoba contingent with two nominations each.

Manitoba artists dominated in the aboriginal, children's, roots duo/group and songwriter of the year categories, with three artists nominated in the aboriginal and children's categories, and four artists fighting it out in the roots album and songwriter categories.

The four-day WCMAs kicked off Thursday with the annual Brandon University Rock the Block street party. Other events included a music festival at seven different venues, a conference, a songwriter's circle and industry awards brunch, where Paquin Entertainment Group founder Gilles Paquin was given the Industry Builder Award and violinist James Ehnes and neo-crooner Michael Bublé were given international achievement awards.

Honoured to be nominated

Here's a list of the local artists up for awards.

Aboriginal Recording of the Year

Eagle and Hawk, Sirensong; Team Rezofficial, The World (And Everything In It); Billy Joe Green, First Law of the Land: If Broken Return to Maker.

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